Bookful is a mobile app for kids that can be used on both Android and Apple devices. The app allows you to read books and play games about the books. It contains a library of Accelerated Reader books and has a Parent Zone menu which includes tells you what this app is about, their privacy policy, terms and conditions, how to send mail, notifications, FAQ, how to restore purchase and how to sign out. The main menu consists of My Books, Featured (books), Friendship, an icon of the 3D map, the volume icon, parent icon and a happy face star with the number of coins I accumulated while playing or interacting with these digital audio books.
When you first open the app you are greeted with delightful music and it really gets you excited to start the interaction with the digital books and what you are about to see. The graphics are very bright and colorful. The app has an older man's voice that narrates the stories in a form of rhyme similar to The Cat in the Hat.
My favorite part about this app is the 3D digital map, because I can interact with it. I like how there are little mini games about the books and, when I read them it's in 3D. I also liked playing the mini game in space, where I had to get stars without hitting any objects. I also had to get letters to spell words. When you spell a word it gives you three hearts. You loose hearts by hitting objects.
The Bookful app teaches children how to read at their level in a very fun and enjoyable way, by interacting with the app and using their visual and audition senses.
I give this app 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 4 to 18. Adults might enjoy this app as well when playing it with their children. It is available now from the app store.
Reviewed by Ethan X. P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11
Bookful is a fun and resourceful learning app that can be used to help teach kids read. It incorporates modern technology. For example, Bookful gives a 3D option and a VR option, which makes reading books much more fun. There are other ways that it makes reading fun, like playing a game with different levels to get to a certain part of a book. Bookful makes reading fun with new ways to explore books.
When the book comes to life on your screen, it makes it so much more real than just reading a regular book. When I was exploring the app I found that the even characters come to life and that's awesome! This app really gives kids the experience of a lifetime.
Another good thing about this app is that while you are learning how to read and write, you can also color in the characters. Now that is cool. You get a variety of books and each comes with an amazing story that kids will love. No matter how a kid feels about reading and learning, this app will make them feel better about it.
I love that this app comes with lots of different books to read. For example, when you first enter the app it takes you to a huge book library where you can choose whatever book you or your child prefers. Bookful makes kids and parents very happy for various reasons. Bookful makes you or your child want to keep reading with all the new offerings in the app.
Although this app is great in many ways, there is one thing that I didn't like so much. There are certain books that can be read and others that need to be purchased. The negative thing is that the price for those books is kind of high and not something everyone can afford. For example, to purchase a lifetime subscription costs one hundred thirty dollars, which is too high for some.
There are lots of amazing things about this app and I most definitely recommend it. I rate the app 4 of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 1 to 6. It is available from the app store, for IOS and Android devices so check it out.
Reviewed by SaniyaRain F., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11
Bookful is no ordinary reading app. It is an augmented reality reading library for children. Within an augmented reality experience, the viewer becomes an actual participant. Inside the app, the user is offered an assortment of reading choices, moves, games, entertainment, interaction and encouragement!
After the easy download for any Apple or Android smart phone or tablet, the Bookful app begins to come to life. The sign up steps are made very clear with big buttons and clean instructions. I found the quick set-up process to be very simple with helpful prompts. This took me less than one minute to complete!
Inside the Bookful app I saw moving animated books on shelves in an endless library and an entire community of activities surrounding them. Diving into the app, I found myself on an adventure right away. I played a short game, for which I earned points. Then I was whisked away into a book that was directly related to the game. In this case it was knocking down stacked boulders in a prehistoric jungle. After I completed that game I was able to open a book all about dinosaurs.
I really enjoy the way Bookful held my attention as I moved seamlessly from activity to activity. My mind had no time to wander as I was constantly being drawn into another new part of my session. This ability to keep me engaged is encouraging for me as a mother, because I am always looking for ways to keep my children interested in educational tasks. Bookful holds the attention of the user extremely well.
Bookful is different from other reading apps I have used in the past. Normally books in an app are accompanied by audio for the user and sometimes a marker that helps the user follow along with the words being read. In the case of Bookful's reading experience, not only are the words read by incredibly entertaining voice actors, but the books themselves jump off the pages! Literally!
I'm not a tech expert, but I can tell this is very cool technology. I was able to access the AR capabilities of this app so easily. If I can do it, anyone can. I was able to choose my surroundings for my reading session. I could read my book in a virtual room designed by the makers of the app, or in my own room at home. The app allowed me to virtually place the book down on my own coffee table at home and flip through the pages like I was wearing 3D goggles. I'm sure there is a fancier way to explain what this is, but all I know is that it is super cool!
Once the books are opened, the characters inside the book lift up like in the pop-up books of my youth. Those standing characters then move around the pages as they act out the lines being read. It's truly incredible. I was in awe.
Bookful is the next level in reading education. I can't wait to get back to reading more books in this app. As a parent, I'm excited to allow my children screen-time that is so cutting edge and useful. I know that my kids are enjoying their reading experience and that is so important to me. I've always loved reading and I know the benefits of reading. I believe Bookful will help us raise a generation of young learners who truly love to read.
I recommend this app for ages 4 to 18, and adults will enjoy it too. This is good for boys and girls as well as for mom and dad. I give the Bookful app a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. If I could give it more stars I would.
Reviewed by Kristin C., KIDS FIRST! Adult Reviewer
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